Summit Professional Development - Ski Instructor Training Zermatt

Adam Steadman

Adam trained with SPD for two seasons. He came close on a couple of tests before passing in December 2009.

Brendon Wolland

Brendon has trained with James and SPD for a few years. He dedicated a lot of time to improving his technique and the results speak for themselves.

Brett Lowny

Brett came from Austria to train with SPD in 2008.

Craig Halliday

Craig worked his way back from injury to pass in December 2009

Donna Tait

Donna was the first SPD athlete to pass the Eurotest. After training for a month in November 2008 she headed to Alp d'Huez, had a great run and passed.

Donna's comments:

My SPD experience was fantastic. 3 weeks of training in gates with a high tech, accurate timing system ensured great competition amongst the group and great feedback on how we were progressing. Not having to worry about other courses near by and having various courses each day with plenty of room to ski was also a great bonus.

November weather in any resort can be mixed but the coaches always made the most of the situation, even on bad weather days spending time on technical drills or starting skills was great instead of just having a day off the hill. Despite a few tears and tantrums and slowly getting over my fear of going fast, both Henry and James were encouraging and enthusiastic about my progress.

Great technical drills as well as time to practice and lots of time in gates helped with confidence and getting comfortable with going fast. Race day scenarios every week with 2 courses were also great on the psychological front to get used to doing things on your own, from course inspection to making sure you were warmed up and ready to get into the start gate at the correct time.

Having James in Alp D'Huez was also invaluable, I was massively stressing in the practice gates training and getting extremely frustrated, James helped me change my focus to thinking of my 'hip' and within a few runs I felt completely refocused and ready for the next day. Everyone you talk to about the speed test always talks about the feelings you get in the start gate and when you get there you actually realise what they are talking about. Fear, excitement, nerves all disappear when that clock begins to beep. I was so excited about my run when I got to the bottom. At that point we didn't think I had passed but I was so happy it was the first run I had done that I actually could think about my 'hip' focus rather than thinking about going too fast. It gave me great confidence in my skiing for what I then thought would be my second run. I couldn't believe it when the pass time came out and I had got it, at last all the training and hard work had payed off and I will never forget the look on Jame's face, lol!

Even if you don't want to do the speed test as a focus spd is still a great way to train to improve your skiing and giving you loads of new skills in your skills box. James and Henry are both fantastic coaches and although the training was very focused it was still fun and challenging in all the right ways. I can't thank either of them enough for the technical training and in particular the confidence they gave me to ski the way I do now. Thanks guys. I would definitely recommend SPD to anyone wanting to go for their euro test or generally have a new challenge in their skiing.

Jack Hurrell

Jack has trained with SPD for the last two seasons. He is working hard this summer to get strong and get ready to nail it in the autumn.

Jenna Barron

November 2009 was Jenna's first time race training. The technical week gave her a big confidence boost and she really enjoyed getting in the gates. We are looking forward to training with her next year and seeing her pass.

Jenna's comments:

'It is the best training i've had, it changed my skiing and I can't wait to train again in november!'

John Taylor

John is a Zermatt regular and trained with SPD in 2008.

Lauder Mason

Lauder made big changes to his skiing during his four weeks with SPD and passed first time.

Lauder's comments:

'SPD was awesome. The combination of top coaching from James and quality November snow was great preparation for my first Speed Test which I passed on the first run.

Liam Hutchinson

Liam trained for a week with us last season to train for his Level 3 tech course which he achieved soon after. We are looking forward to seeing him on the hill again in preparation for the Eurotest.

Laurie Gilfoy

Laurie skied hard in November 2009, overcoming a couple of psychological challenges, he improved and went into the Eurotest knowing he was good enough to pass on the day.

Laurie's comments

'I've trained with other race camps before but non of them were as well organised and structured as SPD. The level of support from the coaches was fantastic, both on and off the hill.

Rab Bickerdike

Rab trained with SPD for two seasons and passed the Eurotest in 2009. His love of downhill mountain biking and speed put him in a great place to take on the challenges of racing

Rowena Phillips

Rowena trained with SPD for two seasons and passed in December 2009, she worked hard in the summer to get fit and strong enough for the demands of racing.

Ro's comments:

'Excellent specific, and relevant coaching on the hill which was well structured and fun, coupled with off-snow theory and varied gym sessions made this the ideal preparation for the eurotest or anyone wanting to improve their piste skiing. I wish I could train like this all season long. Hope that isn't too much but I can't rate it highly enough.'